STEPS TO TAKE IF YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM HAS MALWARE.
Last week we
discussed what we should do if we have come to believe that we have
malware. What signs we look for in our computer system, etc. Now we need
to go a little deeper into what to do when we come to that conclusion.
Before
we dig into that, let me mention the little known fact that if you have
a screen pop up saying something like:"virus detected,"that doesn't
mean you necessarily have a virus in your computer system. It could mean
that you downloaded a file and your anti-virus software detected a
virus and removed it before it could become a problem. It also could
mean that a malicious file on an infected web page could have been
detected and was dealt with. If you see that screen, don't worry, a lot
but you might want to go into your anti-virus program and check its
quarantine or its detection logs to view more information about the
exact viruses and what action was taken. Do this as an educational
experience. You can't know too much about the dangers to your computer
system.
So today let's talk a little about what we should consider
when we come to the firm conclusion that we have, indeed, become
infected with a virus or viruses.
This doesn't seem to be common
knowledge, but I have found out from extensive reading that while many
viruses and other types of malware are designed because the sender loves
chaos, more and more malware at this time is being used by organized
crime in order to steal credit card numbers from you as well as other
sensitive data.
I know a number of people who purchased fairly
good quality anti-virus software and then let it expire. Not too much
you can do more foolish than that.
Many people I have known found
viruses and then purchased appropriate software and considered the
problem solved, as the software would detect and destroy the infection.
Actually if I had a virus on a program I cared about I would
immediately, after clearing my machine, install a new version of the
program. Why would you take a chance? I can't imagine why someone would.
These are sensitive pieces of equipment and should be treated with
respect.
If you are not going to care for them, why should you expect them to care for you and all you've built.
Possibly
you have an anti-virus program but you get the idea that you have
viruses that it is not detecting. Possible? Sure. But you can get
another opinion on this malware with another type of product. A variety
of providers make a one-time scanning tool. These programs will download
into your computer system and do a quick scan without a long
installation process. You might not know that you cannot have multiple
anti-virus products operating at the same time so this allows you to
scan with another anti-virus software without the hassle of uninstalling
your current anti-virus program. See?
Now what happens if you are
right and the viruses are in your computer system and were not detected
by your current software? Perhaps your anti-virus software is not up to
the job. Maybe you obtained one of those free anti-virus programs
widely available on the internet and you took it thinking you were
crafty and thereby saved some money. Sorry, it was not crafty, at all.
But
back to the problem: You might want to uninstall your thrifty-bargain
software and purchase something that will actually protect what you've
worked for.
You need to decide what you need; not what others
think you need. Or what others want to sell you. But you need knowledge
to make that decision.
You might find that some viruses and other
types of malware tend to dig their hooks deep into your system, making
them very difficult to remove from your computer system. This can be the
case especially if the viruses have infected your system earlier and
has had time to run crazy and possibly download types of malware. The
competent and appropriate software you have now purchased is not always
able to root out infections already in the system.
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